5 Tips to Reduce Stress & Feel Grounded

It is always easy to feel grounded, optimistic and grateful when your life is going swell, but during those stressful times it can be easy to fall into a trap of feeling like poop every day.

A wise woman once reminded me during some of the not-so-joyous moments: "You know Joy, there's this thing called life, you're in it. Busyness, stress, to-do lists, unreasonable people -- all of this is life".

While those words may sound harsh. It's true and it puts things into perspective. You can either deal with it by taking care of yourself with loving kindness, or let it break you down. I added the "loving kindness" part -- very important!

As I was doing yoga this weekend it dawned on me that I should write a post on how to get grounded when you are feeling stressed. For me, yoga and these tips I recommend are what keeps me grounded. I am quite confident you can manage through life's ups and downs without fast food, sugar, drugs, alcohol, pharmaceuticals or any self-destructive habits.

Focus on these 5 tips to feel more grounded, less stressed and blissful! The secret is to do these things before you are in a crap-storm so that you can ease through life's craziness. Let's call it... stress-prevention!

1. Talk about it (don't complain), then let it go.

Getting stuff off your chest is healthy. Keeping things in is extremely unhealthy and these kind of negative emotions breed disease. In fact, I just had a student at a workshop tell me yesterday she's just come through one of the most stressful times of her life. She finally made a significant life changing decision because she felt like she was growing cancer in her body from the amount of stress she was under.

Tell someone how you are feeling or write it down in a journal -- the key is to get it out so that you can let it go.

2. Spend time with people you love and admire.

Happy, positive, optimistic people are contagious, aren't they? If your social circle is more interested in partying every night of the week, complaining or engaging in unhealthy behaviours, is this going to help your situation at all? Not likely. Instead, spend time with people who bring out the best in you! It's as simple as that.

3. Less whining, more breathing.

It doesn't really need any more explanation. 2 ways to breathe more: Take 10 deep belly breaths when you are feeling anxious, angry or stressed. Do yoga!

4. Give 30 second hugs, at least.

In my wedding vows to Walker, I told him I would give him 30-second hugs (at least once per day). I take hugging seriously.

How long do you hug others for? While it may be slightly awkward to give your father-in-law or boss a 30-second hug, I'm sure you can find someone to give a long delicious hug to! Hugging releases oxytocin, the lovely hormone lowers blood pressure and anxiety.

5. Spend time alone.

Guilty as charged. I get anxious and irritable when I have no time to myself. Life is freakin' busy and I often find myself from appointment to appointment and then workshop to workshop -- there's that "life" thing again! I can just hear that wise woman in my mind right now as I write this. If my only Joy time is then spent socializing after working all day and no time to myself to do yoga, meditate or go for a walk, this makes me very unjoyous. Life is all about choices and the joyous thing is YOU have the choice!

I know this. Yet, often I have to give myself a little check-in and remind myself to go hang out alone. So when I'm finding myself in this situation, that's exactly what I do. That's why I did a yoga class by myself this morning in my living room. I felt incredibly rejuvenated. Plus my back felt better from spending endless hours in the car last week.

If you find yourself anxious or stressed more often then you'd like, you may need additional support from proper nutrients , the right mix of foods and a change in lifestyle . In fact, the very nutrients your body needs to adapt to stress get drained when going through stress so if you don't replenish them, then anxiety and stress happen more easily. I can help you figure out the solutions! Otherwise, continue to peruse my blog and I hope you get inspired to live your most joyous life!

Hi Joy!
I love reading your blog! I think its great. You always have wonderful tips, and when it is things I am already doing it makes me feel even better!
I was wondering if you have anyone in Calgary you would suggest as a holistic nutritionist? I've been considering going to touch base and do a check in, but there are so many people and no real feedback from clients.
Thanks for the help! I look forward to reading more posts!
Lana

Yes to hugging! I'm a big fan of that.
Did you know that cashew nuts are excellent for helping with depression and stress? They should be eaten raw and if possible soaked (to activate them - more beneficial enzymes). I find that a healthy diet is key to a happy life ;)

Hi Joy,
Great post! :0)
I was just curious, which are the essential nutrients our bodies require to adapt to stress and reduce anxiety?
P.s. I just started reading your book, and it's awesome, just the type of book I've been desperately looking for. It sure has inspired me to make some healthy lifestyle changes in my life.
Thanks for doing what you do! :0)
Cheers,
Amanda

Hi Joy,
I found your other article that mentions the top nutrients that help with stress & anxiety. Sorry, I guess I should have read that before posting my previous question! Opps!
Thanks for sharing this info! I will for sure implement those nutrients in my diet, fingers crossed they will help in reducing my stress & anxiety levels.